The Heroes Cast And "Band From TV" Support Autism Speaks At The First Ever Heroes For Autism Event On April 19 At The Avalon Hollywood

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Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, Bob Guiney and the cast from NBC's hit show HEROES will be Among Those on Hand Helping Raise Autism Awareness and Funds for Research

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB)March 26, 2009

Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced they have teamed up with the cast from NBC's hit show HEROES, the celebrity band "Band From TV" and "Wendy and Lisa" to increase autism awareness and help raise funds for autism research at the first ever HEROES for Autism fundraiser. This one-night only star-studded concert event will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 5:00pm at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.

HEROES for Autism will kick-off with a VIP cocktail reception and silent auction featuring art work designed and created by the cast and crew of HEROES. Guests will then enjoy a concert performance by the "Band From TV," featuring Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, James Denton, Jesse Spencer, and Bob Guiney (http://www.bandfromtv.org) and a special performance by the show's music composers Wendy & Lisa with an all-star band and surprise guests to headline the evening. (http://www.wendyandlisa.com). Wendy & Lisa will perform their music from the series, as well as music from their newly-released CD, "White Flags of Winter Chimneys."

HEROES for Autism is produced in part by event and marketing firm, BRAND Consulting and design firm HAUS. Ticket prices start at $70 - To purchase tickets or for more information regarding sponsorship opportunities contact Emma Petievich at 323-297-4757 epetievich@autismspeaks.org All proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. For more information about the event, visit: http://www.autismspeaks.org/sponsoredevents or http://www.heroesforautism.com

About Autism:
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks:
Autism Speaks is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks funds more than $30 million each year in new autism research, in addition to supporting the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, Clinical Trials Network, Autism Tissue Program and a range of other scientific and medical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning, multi-year national public service advertising campaign with the Ad Council. Autism Speaks' family services efforts include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and the distribution of community grants to local service providers. Its government relations division has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the federal government's response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to require insurers to cover medically-necessary autism therapies. Each year, Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism fundraising events are held in more than 70 cities across the country, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom.

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism, and provides a voice to hundreds of thousands of families. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit http://www.autismspeaks.org.

About Heroes:
From creator/writer Tim Kring ("Crossing Jordan") the epic drama chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. On February 2, "Heroes" continued its third season with a brand-new volume -- "Fugitives." In the latest installment, the Heroes are the targets of a government conspiracy to capture those with abilities, led by one of their own.

"Heroes," the worldwide, multi-platform success now in its' third season is currently licensed to more than 200 territories. The show has received numerous accolades, including the 2009 People's Choice Award for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy show and a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series. Among its honors in past seasons, "Heroes" has received a People's Choice Award, an AFI Award, a Multicultural Prism Award, a TV Land Future Classic Award, the Television Critics Association Awards' Outstanding Program of the Year, the International Prize at the BAFTA Television Awards, and Choice TV Show Action Adventure at the Teen Choice Awards. Winning its time period in season averages among men 18-34 and men 18-49, "Heroes" is also the second highest time-shifted program on all of the major networks, and this helps attract nearly 3 million additional viewers each week. The franchise represents NBC Universal International Home Video's biggest-selling television franchise, ranks among the top two series in full episode streaming on NBC.com, stands among the Top 10 best-selling titles on iTunes and is a top-selling franchise across other digital platforms, including Xbox, Zune and Amazon.